Tulsa World: High stakes on the high plains

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High stakes on the high plains

(At left) Texas Tech's Graham Harrell has thrown just five interceptions this season. Matt Slocum/AP (At right) OSU's Zac Robinson ranks No. 2 nationally in pass efficiency. Mike Simons/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/8/2008 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2008 2:28 AM

Strong quarterback play drives Oklahoma State and Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas — Three years ago, a 23-point-underdog Oklahoma State team upset then-13th-ranked Texas Tech 24-17 in Stillwater. The winning touchdown was scored with 23 seconds left.

Two years ago in Lubbock, OSU lost 30-24. On the final play of the game, a Cowboy pass attempt fell incomplete in the end zone.

Last year in Stillwater, Texas Tech lost 49-45. On the Red Raiders' final offensive play, a pass attempt fell incomplete in the end zone.

The OSU-Texas Tech series has become known for dramatic finishes. In a game that could be billed "High Stakes on the High Plains," the teams battle again on Saturday in a 7 p.m. Big 12 showdown televised by ABC (KTUL, channel 8).

The Cowboys (8-1 overall, 4-1 Big 12) are No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 9 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. Since winning at Lubbock in 1944, OSU is 0-8-2 on Texas Tech's home field.

Having beaten Texas last week, Texas Tech has legitimate national-title aspirations. The Red Raiders (9-0, 5-0) are No. 2 both in the AP poll and BCS standings, and they are in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 South.

Combine the Cowboy and Red Raider statistics and you get 92 points and 1,071 yards per game. Both teams are driven by top-flight quarterback play.

OSU's Zac Robinson ranks No. 2 nationally in pass efficiency, having thrown for 20 touchdowns on only 129 pass completions. He averages 16.1 yards per completion. Balanced OSU is the only team in Division I-A that has both a 1,000-yard receiver (Dez Bryant) and a 1,000-yard rusher (Kendall Hunter).

"I just think (Robinson) is a pretty complete player," Red Raider coach Mike Leach said. "He throws it pretty well, and he can run it a little bit. He's kind of a physical guy. He's fairly tough and physical."

On 413 pass attempts, Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell has been intercepted only five times. In nine games, he has passed for more yards (3,621) than any OSU quarterback has managed in an entire season. His most frequent target is sophomore Michael Crabtree, generally considered the best wide receiver in college football.

It was Crabtree's 28-yard TD reception, with one second remaining, that vanquished the Longhorns.

After Harrell passed for 474 yards against Texas, Leach said, "If you don't have Graham Harrell on your Heisman list, you probably should add him."

OSU accepts yet another monumental road challenge. In a span of five games, the Cowboys will have visited the nation's No. 3 team (Missouri), the No. 1 team (Texas) and now the No. 2 team. OSU defeated Missouri 28-23 and lost 28-24 at Texas.

"The Missouri game went a long way for us," Robinson said. "It gave us confidence going into the Texas game that we can play well on the road against good teams.

"We'll definitely be excited to get to Lubbock. We always feel like we can win every game we play."

Texas Tech has prevailed in 31 of its past 36 home dates. Jones AT&T Stadium always is a difficult venue for visitors, and especially when the game is like this one nationally relevant and played under the lights. Red Raider fans are renowned for being rowdy, and Saturday's game will be viewed by a sellout crowd of more than 53,000.

"We played good at Missouri, and we played OK at Texas," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said. "You'd like to think that (Cowboy players) have matured enough that they can eliminate the environment. Don't worry about the sideshow. Just focus on playing the game.

"You never know what's going to happen in games like this. Nobody does. But do I feel better about our approach, where we are as a team and our maturity? Yes."

After colliding with OSU, the Red Raiders are off until Nov. 22, when they play at sixth-ranked Oklahoma.

"The road is not getting any easier," Harrell said. "In order for (the Texas game) to mean anything, we have to win again."

The Red Raiders are No. 10 nationally in run defense, while the Cowboys lead the Big 12 and rank fifth nationally in rushing offense. A successful ground game is essential, Robinson said.

"Being able to run the football sets up a lot of our passing game," Robinson said. "You definitely want to keep the Texas Tech offense off the field."

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (11/8/2008 6:55:21 AM)

"He throws it pretty well, and he can run it a little bit. He's kind of a physical guy. He's fairly tough and physical."

Talk about faint praise for Zac- hopefully it comes back to bite Leach tonight. GO POKES!!!!!!!!!!!

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